Trafficking in human beings is a crime against the victim’s fundamental rights. It can take several forms, such as sexual exploitation, forced labour or services, slavery and servitude-related practices, as well as the removal of organs. This practice is prohibited under numerous EU and international instruments. Yet, persistent demand for sexual services and for low-wage workers employed in manual jobs continues to provide opportunities for traffickers to exploit human beings.
Third-country nationals account for more than half of all registered victims in EU Member States, with unaccompanied minors and those in the process of seeking asylum being at particular risk of becoming victims. This study provides an overview of measures and best practices around detection, identification and protection of third-country national victims of trafficking in human beings in 25 EU Member States, Norrway and Georgia from January 2015 to December 2020.
